Ernie Chambers has the wrong solution to a set of very real problems. He is the driving force behind Omaha’s move toward re-segregating schools. I agree with at least part of his core complaint: that parents have too little say over the way money is spent to educate their children. I disagree with his remedy: essentially codifying the de facto segregation that exists because of income distribution through school districts and cities.

Sen. Chambers is right to be angry about the bloat, the inefficiency, and the lack of community involvement; although, having a closer insight on schools than I’ve ever had before, has convinced me that the biggest problem failing schools face is one of parental apathy or downright hostility to their children’s schools and education. Simply shifting the and demanding more equality in spending isn’t going to fix the cultural problems that lead to failing schools even if he does achieve his goal of reducing the bureaucracy. I imagine the schools will just fail in new and imaginitive ways.

I, of course, have all of the solutions; I’m just keeping them to myself because I hate sharing. I’m an only child, you know.